Apparatus for molding printing base material



1952 N. A. HUNTER 2,581,860

APPARATUS FOR MOLDING PRINTING BASE MATERIAL Filed June 1, 1949 11 9.5 INVENTOR.

Name A. un-res.

ATTDRNE-Y.

Patented Jan. 8, 1952 APPARATUS FOR, MOLDING PRINTING BASE MATERIAL Noble, A.,H 1e Qanac, Mich" assignor of; fifty.- per centto Myrtle M. Hunter, Capac, Mich.

Application June 1, 1949, Serial No, 96,456

C aim... 1 V

This invention relates to anapparatus for the casting or molding of: metal bases with slots on the underside thereof for use by printing estab-.. lishments, said base beingadapted as a support for and upon which shall castings may be mount, ed-and-secured.

Heretofore printingestablishments have cast ing boxes for the making of stereotype castings which are used for printing and it is the prin-. cipal object of this invention to permit the uti-.

lization ofthecasting box for themanufacture of the-base material referred to above.

It is the object of this invention to provide a plurality of bars and irons. of substantially rec tangular cross section which may be employed upon and withinthe conventional flat bed casting boxto thereby define the mold into which the molten material is poured for the formation of said base material. 7

Heretofore the stereotype casting was solid throughout whereas it is contemplated that the slotted base materia1 produced from the apparatus hereafter described may be. substituted therefor, said base acting as a support upon which a shell castingimay be mounted and S81 cured.

It is the further object of this invention toprovide the base material of the same substance from which the type is formed in a Linotype ma:

chine, so that it may be melted over when it hasbecome worn. Furthermore, it is a great convenience to already have the right material available for the formation of said bases.

It is the further object of this invention to mold-said bases at a uniform constant height whereby when the shell casting ismounted theree on they total height of said base and shell casting will exactly equal type height, 1. e. the h i ht of the row of molded type produced in the Linotype machine.

These and many other objects will be seen from the following specification and claim in conjunction with the appended drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a COIIVBIl-r tional form of flat bed casting box with the cover thereof in open position.

Figure 2 is a plan view taken on line 2==-.2 of Figure 1 indicating the arrangement of bars and irons which are mounted upon the bed of said casting box.

Figure 3 is an elevational section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary partially broken away and sectioned perspective view of the base material molded by the present apparatus; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary elevational section taken on line 55 of Figure 3.

It will be understood that the above. drawing; illustrates merely. a preferred embodiment of the; invention and that other embodiments are con-- templated within the scope of the. claimv here-- after set out.

Referring to the drawing the. conventional fiat bed casting boxisshown in Figure l for produc-- ing in conjunction with the apparatus hereafter: set out, the base material in the' form shown in Figure 4.

Said base material generally indicated at It in Figure 4.is substantially rectangular in shape and: includes the platform 12 and the outer parallel spaced end portions l3 and I4. Interposed between the members 13: and Mare a plurality of upright parallel spaced supporting legs 15 which are -reinforced at their. bases byv the web.- bi-ng I5; and [fl shown in. Figure i. There may be. transverse openings [-8 formed in the platform 12 between each ofthe. legs [.51 in view ofthe spacer pins 49 hereafter described in connection with thecasting bars 41..

Refer-ring now to Figure. 1 the casting box in-v cludes the base portion 19. and the upright 2!] atone end which terminates in the bifurcated portion 22. It will be noted that the casting box referred to includes a. second base portion IQ which is identical inv shape to. the one. shown in Figure 1 and which is secured in spaced relation thereto as by the spacer bar 2|, the end of which is, shownvin Figure 1 as well as by the cross bar 31: hereafter described.

The specific construction of the flat bed casting box forms no part of the present invention and consequently the details of its construction are omitted.

The casting box however, has a rectangu1arly shaped flat bed 24 and a pair of trunnion shafts 23'project fromopposite sides thereof being pivotally mounted within and between the bifurcated portions 22 shown in Figure 1 whereby said bed may be pivoted to a, vertical position when desired for the casting operation.

The opposite end 25 of the bed 24 is supported within the notch 26' at the upper end of the re,- lease latch 26 which is pivotally mounted at 2": to the base Hi. The arm 28 is suitably secured at one end to the shaft 21 and its opposite end is, pivotally joined at 29 to the upright link 30 whose lower end is pivotally joined at 3! to'the treadleit?! lhe latter is pivotally mounted to the base l9 at point 33, while its forward end 35 is provided with a foot piece 34 for actuating said treadle.

it is apparent that manual application of the treadle 32 will eifect a clockwise pivotal move men r he e ea e-2!? s t at t e ed 24 w automatically pivot downwardly into a vertical position within and between the base members I9 of the casting box. The treadle arrangement also forms a part of the conventional casting box and operates in a conventional manner to permit the automatic pivotal movement of the bed 24 and its cover 38 to a vertical position.

The base 19 also includes the uprights 36 at the end thereof which are joined by the spacer 31, the latter being adapted to support the flat cover 38 when tilted to the position shown in Figure 1. In normal casting operations the cover 38 which is hinged at 39 and which includes an adjustable connection 40, is adapted to assume the dotted line horizontal position shown in Fig-- ure 1. It will be noted that both the flat bed 24 and the cover 38 have a tapered portion 39 so that when said cover is closed said tapered portions will cooperate to provide a throat or pouring opening for the molten material used when the cover and the bed 24 have been together pivoted to a vertical position.

The irons and casting bars hereafter described are first mounted and positioned upon the bed 24 in the manner shown in Figure 2 after which the cover 38 is closed to the dotted line position shown in Figure 1. A plurality of brackets 40' are secured to the opposite edges of the bed 24 and suitable clamps M with securing screws 42 .are pivotally mounted upon said brackets whereby the cover 38 may be effectively secured in .closed position before said bed and cover are per- ;mitted to tilt to the vertical casting position.

However, again referring to Figures 1 and 2,

before the cover is closed, the end iron 44 of sub- :stantially rectangular cross section is positioned loosely upon the bed 24, said end iron including a plurality of transverse spaced notches with vertical walls 45 and bottom walls 46.

There are a plurality of casting bars 41 of substantially rectangular cross section but which have a slight downward taper at 52, and these bars are arranged substantially parallel to each other with their ends nested and projected within the slots 4546 in the manner shown in Figures 2 and 3. It will be noted that the heights of the casting bars 41 are such that the upper edges thereof are flush with the top surface of the end iron 44.

The opposite ends of casting bars 41 are formed with the downwardly depending legs 48 which bear upon the bed 24 and thereby establish a parallel spaced relation between the top of the bed 24 and the under surfaces of each of the casting bars 41 to provide for the formation of the platform 12 of the base to be molded in applicants apparatus.

A plurality of spacer pins 49 having a slight downward taper to permit easy removal from the cast base are secured to and downwardly depend from the under surface of said casting bars with the lower ends of said pins cooperatively engaging the top surface of bed 24 to prevent any possible bending of the casting bars 41 during the molding operation.

It will be noted as shown in Figure 3 that each of said casting bars 41 have a plurality of longitudinally spaced undercut upwardly converging notches 50 formed in the under-surfaces thereof to permit entry of the molding material to form the transverse reinforcing webbing l6 shown in Figure 4.

Furthermore if desired a secondary group of spaced transverse upwardly converging notches 5| may also be formed within the under surface of the casting bar to provide for the transverse reinforcing webbing l1 shown in Figure 4.

Heretofore such reinforcing wasnt necessary as the stereotype base material 'was usually solid. As one of the objects of the present invention was to provide an apparatus which would produce a light slotted base material, it has been found necessary to provide for the reinforcing webbing l6 and the additional webbing l1 if desired.

It is apparent that if the spacers 49 are employed there will be small openings l8 in the molded base such as shown in Figure 4. It will be noted as shown in Figure 5 that the casting bars 41 have slightly tapered side portions 52 to facilitate removal thereof from the cast base H i. e. from between the cast legs l5.

Again referring to Figure 2 the apparatus for casting the base material H is completed by employing the spaced side irons 43 which are substantially rectangular in cross-section and which are arranged at right angles to the end iron 44 and are positioned upon the bed 24 with their one ends snugly engaging the inner wall of said end iron 44 as shown in Figure 2.

Thus, the mold for forming the base material H shown in Figure 4 is completed as shown in Figures 2 and 5 by employing the plurality of casting bars 41 in association with the notched end iron 44 and the parallel spaced outer side irons 43, all of which are loosely mounted upon the flat bed 24 after which the cover 38 is pivoted to the dotted line horizontal position shown in Figure l, and is suitably and securely clamped by the clamps 4|.

It is to be noted that so assembled the bars 41 as well as the irons 43 and 44 are of exactly the same height so that there is a tight registry of the under surface of the cover 38wwith the top surfaces of each of. said bars and. irons.

After the clamps 4| have been tightly secured by l the bolts 42 and the cover 38 is effectively held down, the treadle 35 is manually actuated releasing the bed 24 and the same will pivot to a vertical position for the pouring of .the molded material into the throated portion 39 above derscribed.

After this operation and after the material has hardened the bed 24 is again pivoted into the horizontal position shown in Figure l andv the cover 38 is lifted as shown. The casting bars 41 are manually withdrawn from the molded base If and the base itself may be manually lifted from the bed 24. Said base will be of the formation shown in Figure 4 and may be easily which is relatively soft, it is comparatively simple to saw the base material to the proper length. It is contemplated that the number and spacing of the upright legs l5 of the base material H could be variable however, it has been found that it is advisable for the printer to establish a par--- ticular arrangement such as shown in Figure 2 for illustration, and to stick by this arrangement to thereby always obtain uniformity in the mold bases which are cast.

The base produced by the apparatus above dethe assembly will be of exactly the correct or' type height, and it will not be necessary to use a planing machine as was often the case where the solid stereotype was employed.

Heretofore in the formation of the stereotype which included a solid base, the weight of the metal poured was such as to cause some bending of the paper matrix which is normally employed in the formation of the stereotype casting, and which is also employed in the formation of shell castings. In producing the solid stereotype casting due to such bending, there would be certain high spots in the casting which had to be removed by a routing machine. By employing merely shell castings with a minimum weight of metal, the matrix does not bend, there are no high spots and the use of a routing machine is obviated. It is apparent also that in molding the shell casting considerably less backing of the matrix is needed.

It is apparent that by employing the slotted base material above described as a support for shell castings, the excessive weight of the stereotype solid casting is eliminated and consequently the total weight of the completed printing form is minimized.

It is apparent further that the molded base material H is versatile in its use and may be sawed to any desired length readily. Said base material may be used in prearranging the makeup of the printing form or chase and may be used for holding the column rules in place.

B employing the base material described it is possible to have a pre-assembly of the base in the printing form of the size and of the arrangement which may have been reserved and upon which there will be mounted a particular shell casting. In other words, the frame may be to this extent completely made up and the shell castings later mounted and secured upon the base material when they are received or obtained.

Heretofore if there was any warping of the solid type casting it was necessary to unlock the whole chase or frame and introduce shims to correct the same.

By employing the base material described and using a shell casting thereon, it is not necessary to unlock the frame, and any warping which may have occurred can be corrected merely by inserting a paper shim directly under the shell casting at the proper place.

It will be understood further that the base material provided may be used over and over again and may be stored for use as and when desired.

The procedure in the use of the casting bars for the making of printers light weight base for mounting shell castings, or for use as basing material is as follows:

With the casting box open casting paper is first placed on the bed 24. Next the end iron 44 is placed in position crosswise of the bed with the open slots 45-46 which receive the ends of the bars 41 facing towards the pouring end of the box and up.

The small ends of the bars 41 are next placed in the slots of the end iron 44 with the leg ends 48 thereof being arranged toward the metal pouring end or open end of the casting box and down. The leg ends of the bars 4'! are next spaced equal distances apart, and a spacing gauge may be used for this purpose if desired.

After this the side irons 43 are arranged on each side of the bars 41 and at a suitable distance therefrom to provide for ample thickness of the outside legs or members [3 and I4 of base H.

A sheet of casting box paper is then placed on top of this assembly and the cover 38 is closed to the horizontal position shown in Figure 1 and is securely clamped in position. After this the casting box is tilted to an upright position and the metal is poured thereinto in any convenient manner.

The casting box is then arranged into a horizontal position, the cover 38 raised and the casting removed, separated from the bars and irons and is saw-trimmed to the desired printers measure.

It will be noted that the base material may be of the same substance from which the type is formed in a Linotype machine, or on the other hand stereotype, Monotype or Intertype metals may be employed for this purpose. It is possible also that foundry type metal could be used if it is desired to obtain an extra hard cast base.

Having described my invention, reference should now be had to the claim which follows i'or determining the scope thereof.

I claim:

A casting box comprising a flat bed, a cover pivotally mounted at one end upon said bed, an end iron or" rectangular cross-section positioned upon said bed and having a plurality of spaced lateral notches in its side surface. a plurality of parallel spaced casting bars of rectangular cross section arranged at right angles to said end iron with their one ends nested and supported within said notches, depending legs on the opposite ends of said bars extending below said one ends and bearing upon said bed defining a longitudinal slot between said bed and the under sides of said bars, a pair of spaced side irons of rectangular cross-section positioned on said bed with their one ends engaging said end iron and arranged in parallel spaced relation to the outer of said casting bars, the top surfaces of said end iron, casting bars and side irons being coplanar, said cover being secured in compressive registry with the top surface of said end iron and the top surfaces of said side irons and said bars, and parallel to said bed for maintaining an assembled relation between said bed, irons, and bars, said end iron and side irons forming respectively one end wall and the side walls of said casting box, the under surfaces of said casting bars having formed therein a plurality of transverse longitudinally spaced upwardly converging slots of different heights, whereby the molded article will be formed with a plurality of transverse reinforcing webbing of corresponding different heights, one end of said box being open to permit the introduction of molten material therein.

NOBLE A. HUNTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 212,228 Hughes Feb. 11, 1879 297,023 Smith Apr. 15, 1884 492,448 Wendell Feb. 28, 1893 735,804 Partridge Aug. 11, 1903 863,816 Vollmer Aug. 20, 1907 6 ,299 Dutton June 17, 1913 1,423,146 Peckham July 18, 1922 1,683,356 Hurlbert Sept. 4, 1928 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 26,824 Great Britain of 1904 480,941 France July 18, 1916 336,652 Italy Feb. 19, 1936 5,817 Denmark Aug. 30, 1902 

